Machine for heating metal stock



E. S. JEIFFERIES MACHINE FOR HEATING METAL STOCK Filed July 5l, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l O 0 n N lilium vxlllllqn.

l/ fttor'ne E. S. JEFFERIES MACHINE FOR HEATING METAL STOCK 4 Sheecs-Sheet 2 Filed July 51, 1922 Dec. 29I 1925.

` E. S. JEFFERIES MACHINE FOR HEATING METAL STOCK Filed July 5l, 1922 lum'lnnnll"Mm,

De@ .29, 1925. Y1,567,373

, E. s. JEFFERIES l Y MACHINE FOR HEATING METAL STOCK Filed July 3l, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Iwl llllllllllhlhlllll llllllll Ill ries @wenn 70, 5 1/ afttor'ng Patented Dec. 29, 1925.

UNT efr'fnr ERNEST s. mammaires, 'or HAM .Eisenman A. ;.W.,.Jnrrnei Umori. oirranro, CANADA, Assieme 'nea-.or woncnsrn's; MASSACHUSETTS,

FCE HEATING-MEEAL STOCK.

Application filed. July 31,

Be it known that' I, ERNEST S.. J iiijiinnins,A

citizen of the United States, residing-Mat, oiniilton, in the lProvince of ntario, Dofuhoppers o Fig."V is a,

'i0 lattes,- to "ammachiner ,for A i .v xl i n v gh, for the performance of some' operation thereon, such -asheading or drop-` Jg .n i i -A iwi y iorgmg. y y l, ,y

In sofai' as I `am aware, the onlymachines` of the aboredescribed typewli-ich liaye'beenj( heretofore constructed, erated, and are adaptedto heat piece of stock 'at one timef. Consequently', when it has been desired (tot successively ,fQllH or forge a large number ofpieces ofvsftocl,v the production of finished pieces has been limited by the'rapidity1 withfwliich one or more operators may the heated 1" fof ltheriirpose have been hand stock to another operato of forming or forging thesanie.' i M Acrordingto the present inventionJll propose to p'rovide'a inacl'iine forl,sLiccessivelyly heating anuinbcr of pieces of stock la'fndidelivering 'the heated pieces at definite ina tervals for the performance ofthe forming or forging operationthereon. tion further contemplates the prox/fisio I a mechanism that is entirely. aut'omaticwin its operation, so that itis only necessary forv the operatoi1 toplace the stock inthe several', receiving hoppers of the malchine, .afterl 'hichv the heated pieces lof material are, discharged from the mach intervals for'the performance of"sorne fur` ther operation thereon. The above., andother advantageous features of my inyention willy hereinafter more fully appear, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsinVIV which, t 4 l Fig. 1 is a View in front,elerati5nof a machine embodying my intention".

FigQQ is a plan View of the machine shown in Fig. l. i i' u .F ig. 3 is a t ransverse sectional View along of material y ,only par 'after described. A

A permit the 'rotation ine at predetermined t'atably mounted ,fin end per 1A and is extended at` A.are adapte `pivotally- 1922.V Serial N0. 575,836;

3--3,A ofFig. l, non @Mlle .ermite Fig. L is anV enlarge showing a lportion, of

Fig. l5.'

ing a. por

dr f the machine shown in Fig. 3.

transverse,.sectional ViewV along f Figrl is an enlarged fr Fi OF ONE-THERE) looking in theidireca lView of one of the agnientary View,

T is affragn'ientary planiview, showtionof the parts shown in Fig. 2,

npoiran enlarged scale.

of theqpaits .shown in A Fig. 8 is an end View Shaft. removed from the machine.

chinef` f comprises suitable containing means 'for thel stock, suchl as,- A1 which are ygenerally ,and openv `at the, top. of each the edge of tliefopeninL terminates adjacent to Ethe plate 6, enough clearance hopper Il is` inclined, tly ,across the hopper with its upper sur stantially' ,flush Awith Q the rectangular Lin form i the parts shown `,in

9 is amend View of the master cam.

ference characters re-fer to` likea arts in the different figures.

Referring first to Figs. l= an d 5, :the ma- The.` bottom plate 2.V

land extends tofan opening provided' below each ed parallel plates 1,5 and 6.. de adjustable with respect to accommodatei difds ,longitudinally of l pperledge of the being allowed beA tween the bar 7 and thewplates 9J and to in the Yarioumpositi As best `s liown in of thebar, as best shown ons thereof in l. Fig. 4, each bar 7 is ,110m

plates Sof the hop- Y one, eiildbeyond.v the hopper l, where itis vprovided with a ratchet wheel).J fr pawlr memberI l() .is adapted .to engage the, teeth of each ratchet wheel 9, and

tween arms ll which` Y.

is piiotally mounted be d to turn a bar 7. The upper end connected by which extends all the ends of the hoppers l.

boutthe end ,of the ingl the lengtlr ofthe hopper. .A 'i

f stoclnas will behereini n ,agitator bar 7., angularp face subbottom plate@ at Thelrbar also` s ofthe arms l1 areA v pins .12 to a rod 13.

way across the rear The rod 13 is connected to an arm 14 mounted on a rocker shaft 15, and a second arm 16, mounted on the shaft 15, is connected by means of a rod 17 to a bell crank lever 18, which is adapted to be oscillated on its pivot shaft 19 by means of a crank arm 20, as best shown in Fig. 3. The crank arm 2O is connected by means of a pin 21 to a gear 22, mounted on a shaft 23. The gear 22 is in mesh with a pinion 24 mounted on a shaft 25 which, as best shown in Fig. 2, is rotatabiy supported in bearings 26. A worm wheel 27 is mounted on the shaft 25 between the bearings 26, and is in mesh with a worm 28 carried at one end 'of the shaft 29 of an electric motor 30. Rotation of the motor shaft 29 causes an oscillatory movement to be imparted to the bell crank lever 18 through the crank arm 20, which in turn causes a reciprooatory movement of the rod 13. This causes all'of the pawl arms 11 to be moved back and forth simultaneously to impart a step-by-step rotative movement to the agitator bars 7, in order to prevent the pieces of stock from arching across the openings 3 as they move downward into the magazines 4, as will be hereinafter referred to.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, pieces 31 of stock are adapted to move by gravity from the hoppers 1 into the magazines 4, and are adapted to be held in a pre-heating position at the bottom of the magazines 4 by means of spaced lingers 32 provided on the plates 5. A plurality of resilient fingers 33 project downwardly below the plate 6 and cooperate with the fingers 32 to hold a piece of stock 31 in the pre-heating position, from which it is adapted to be removed to the heating position by means of a transfer mechanism which will now be described.

As best shown in Fig. 1, a plurality or transfer shafts 34 extend across the machine below each hopper 1, and a plurality of transfer arms 35 are mounted on each shaft 34 at points opposite to the spaces between the fingers 32. As best shown at section D-D in Fig 1, each arm 35 is provided with a notch 36 which, when the arm 35 is in a substantially vertical position, permits the lowermost piece 31 of stock in the magazine 4 to be supported by the lingers 32 and 33. As best shown at section B-B, F ig. 1, each shaft 34 has mounted thereon a lever 37 which has connected thereto a link 38 by means of a pin 39. The link 38 passes through a guide 40 and is surrounded by a spring 41 between the lower end of the link 38 and the guide 40. The compression oi the spring 41 tends to draw the link downwardly and thereby hold a roller 42, mounted on the pin 39, in the path of movement of a step 43 carried on a vertically movable push lod 44, which is adapted to have imparted thereto an up and down movement, as will be hereinafter described.

-upper surface 46k lis connected to one end rshoe 54, is carried Upward movement ofthe rod 44 is adapted to turn the shaft 34 in a counter-clockwise direction and thereby move the arm 35 into the position shown at section D-D, in which position the lowermost piece 31 of stock is supported by the fingers 32 and 33. This position will hereinafter be referred to as the pre-heating7 position of the stock. Zhen the rod 44 is moved downwardly the spring 41 causes the roller 42 to follow the step 43, turning the shaft 34 in a clockwise direction and moving the arm 35 into the position shown at section E-E- Vhen this occurs, the notches 36 in t-he arms 35 engage the lowermost piece of stock and carry it against a stop 45, the resilient fingers 33 permitting the withdrawal of the bar, and the of the arm 35, supporting the piece of stock immediately above, and preventing its withdrawal. This position of a piece of stock will be hereinafter referred to as the heating position, in which it 1s adapted to be clamped between a pair or electrodes, as will now be described.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a stationary electrode 47 is supported with its contact shoe 48 in alinement with the stop 45. The electrode 47 extends downwardly and of a section of a divided secondary winding 49 of a transformer, having a primary winding 50 and a core 51 supported by a frame 52. A movable electrode 53, provided with a contact at the other end of the secondary winding 49, and, as bestV shown at section CC of Fig. 1, is slidably supported between bearing blocks 55, whereby the electrode 53 is adapted to move in a substantially horizontal plane. The secondary winding 49 being formed of separate laminations 56, is somewhat resilient at its end, 'thereby permitting movement of the electrode 53. The movable electrode 53 is connected by means of a link 57 to one end of a rocker arm 58 mounted on a shaft 59. The other end of the rocker arm 58 isacted upon by a spring 60, the pressure of which tends to turn the rocker arm 58 in a clockwise direction and force the movable electrode 53 in the direction of the stationary electrode 47. A roller 61 is mounted on the rocker arm 58, adjacent to the point of connection of the link 57 thereto, which roller is in the path of movement of a cam 62 carried at the upper end of the push rod 44, when the rod 44 is moved up and down by a mechanism which will now be described.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, each push rod 44 is pivotally connected at its lower end to a rocking lever 63 which is provided at a point intermediate its ends with a roller 64. The roller 64 is held in engagement with the surface ofe a cam 65, mounted on the shaft 25 and provided with a projection 66, by the pressure of the spring aotby the projection Y.ing through the roller? 61 and the cam 62.

The free end of the lever `63 is. provided witha reduced portion 67 which is adapted to be received in a notch 68 provided on a pivotedlatch member). The latch member 69 is acted upon by a 4spring 7 O which tends to hold it in engagement with the snrface of a master cam 7l, mounted on a shaft 72, and provided with a4 cam projection 7 3. The cam 7l is so formed that-the latch member `6) is held out of engagement with the lever. 63 by the spring 70, atA all times, e:: cept when the latch member o?) is engaged 7 3, whereupon the reduced portion ($7 of tie lever (S53 iff: received in the notch 68. The shaft 72 is driven from the shaft through the pinion 2d and the gear 22 on the shaft 2B, and through a second pinion 74; and a gear 75 on the shafts 23 and 72 respectively, whereby the shaft 7 2 is driven ata speed which is much less than that of the shaft 25. The exactspeed ratio between the` shafts and 72 is determined by the number of Vhoppers l and sets of electrodes t7 and 58 which are employed in the machine. ln other words, if there are ten hoppers. and sets of electrodes, then the speed of theshaft 72 is only one-tenth of that of the speed of the shaft 25. vBearing this relation in mind, for the purpose of illustra tion, although .it is to be understood that a machine can be provided with any desired number of hoppers, it is obvious that the lever 63 will be engaged by the cam projection G6 ten times, while the latch G9 is being engaged by the cam projection 75l once. es long `as the latch y69 rides on the circular surface of the cam 7l, the reduced end 57 of the lever G3 is not received in the notch G8 and consequently the lever 63 is moved about its left hand en'd as a fulcrum each time that it is engaged by the cam projection G6. So long as the right hand end of the lever (i3 is free to move, it. is obvious that no movement will be imparted to the rod 44. lVhen, however, the cam projection 7 3 engages the latch 69, following nine movements of the lever 63, the latch 69 is so moved to cause the reduced end portion 67 of the lever 63 to be received in the notch 68. Vhen the lever 63 is again raised by the cam projection 66, its right hand end portion 67 will be held fast by the latch G9, so that the left hand end of the lever (33 will be raised about the right hand end as a fulcrum against the pressure of the spring al. JA nup and down movement is thereby imparted to the rod der, which movement is adapted to actuate the corresponding transfer arm and movable electrode 53, as will nov7 be described.v

From the preceding description, it is believed` to be clear that with a rod @el in its lower position, the corresponding transfer arm will be maintained in the position shown at section EE, Fig. l, by the s iring ll, 1n other words, in position to hold a piece of stoel; against the stop 45. The corresponding movable electrode 53 will also be held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by the spring 60, this position ofthe electrode corresponding to that occupied by the electrode when in engagement with the butt end of a piece of stock. lf it be assumed however, that the machine isjust about to be operated with pieces of stock onlyin the hoppers, then it is apparent with the position of the parts shown, that the electrodes 47 and 53 will be separated and no current Will be flowing through the secondary winding lt).

Uponoperation of any one of the rods 4d by the corresponding lever 63, the upward movement of the rod will cause the cam 62 to immediately engage the roller 6l and turn the rocker arm 58 in a counter-clochwise direction to move the electrode 53 away from the electrode 47. Continued upward movement of the rod lil will cause the step Lft-8 to engage the roller d2 on the lever 37 and turn the shaft 34e, together with its transfer arm 35, in a` counter-clockwise direction into the position shown at DFD, Fig. l. lt is apparent from the form of the cam projection 6G, that the rod l-t will 4drop suddenly as soc-n as it reaches the limit of its upward movement, whereupon the spring ll, acting on the lever 37 through the .link 38, will cause the transfer arm 35 to be moved from the position shown at l-l) to therposition shown at E-E- When this oc curs, the lowermost piece of stock supported by the lingers 32, will be seatedin the several notches 36, and the piece will be carried to the heating position where it is in contact with the stationary electrode 47 and theA stop 45, the resilient lingers 38 permitting withdrawal of ,the lowermost piece, but holding the bar next above from dropping out` of the hopper. As a piece is moved to its heating position as above described, the spring 60,Y acting on the rocher `arm 5S, causes the movable elect-rode toV engage the butt end of the piece as soon as it reaches the heating position, so that electric cinrent immediately starts to flow thr vugh the piece between the electrodes 47 and.

VThe piece remains in the heating position with current flowing therethrough, until the corresponding rod lat is again moved upwardly by the cam projection G6, following a predetermined number o-f revolutions of the shaft 25. When the rod t again starts to move upwardly, the piece which has been heated is released by the simultaneous withdra al of the movable electrode 53 and the upward movement of the transfer arms 35, the slope of the notches 86 being such as to cause a piece to fall therefrom by gravity as soon as it is clear of the stop 45. The heated piece thereupon 4drops upon an inclined apron 76 extending downwardly below the lioppers l, down which it moves onto a conveyor chain 77 which carries it to one end of the machine, where it is discharged on any suitable receiving means, not shown, for the performance of any desired forming operation thereon while in its heated condition. A guide member 78 extends parallel to the chain 77 to retain the pieces of stock thereon. As best shown in Fig. 2, the conveyor chain 77 is driven. by a sprocket wheel 79 mounted on a shaft 80, which in turn is driven from a sprocket wheel 8l. The sprocket wheel 8l is adapted to be driven from the motor shaft 29 by any suitable means, such as gearing 82 and a chain passing' over the sprocket wheel 8l.

As described above, it is apparent that each push rod 44 is adapted to be raised and lowered at intervals, the length of which is determined by 'the relation between the speed of the cam shafts 25 and 72 respectively, and it is obvious that the relation between the movements of different rods 44 will be directly dependent upon the move` ments of the corresponding latch members 69. In other' words, if the latches controlling the movement of adjacent rods 44 are caused to be operated at diiiierent times, it follows that the movement of the corresponding transfer arms and the electrodes 53 will be separated by time intervals. To this end then, the several cams 7l are so arranged on the shaft 72 as to cause the cam projection 73 to have different angular relations with respect. 'to each other. The exact angular displacement of the cam projections 73 is determined by the number of lioppers l, and if it be again assumed lthat the hoppers are 'ten in number, then the cam projections 73 will be displaced from each other by one-tenth of a complete circle, or 36. This relation is best illustrated in Fig. 9.

lVith the above described arrangement of cam projections 73 on the shaft 72, it is apparent that the several rods 44 will be operated at predetermined intervals, so that the pieces of stock will be successively moved from a pre-heating position to a heating position, and then will be dropped on the apron 76, after being heated a predetermined length of time, tho complete cycle of operations for each hopper l occurring in orderly procession and with definite time intervals between the different movements. lt follows then that 'so long as the hoppers l are supplied with stock, the individual pieces 3l will be removed therefrom, heated, and then delivered to the conveyor chain 77 in regular order, the heated pieces being deposited upon the chain 77 with definite spao ing therebetween, and being delivered for further operation thereon at definite time intervals. lt is obvious from a consideration of the entire mechanism that heated ieces of stock can be delivered by the machine at any desired rate, dependent upon the speedl delivering them in orderly procession, my.

invention further contemplates a machine which is substantially universal in its application, in that it may handle diflerent lengths and diameters of stock without making it necessary to appreciably change or adjust the mechanism. It is obvious that a bar of relatively large diameter requires a greater amount ofheating than a bar of relatively small diameter, and that ordinary variations in the amount of heat required may be obtained by varying the voltage across the primary winding 50, or by varying 'the speed of the motor 30. In addition however, I have provided means whereby any one or all of the push rods 44 may be rendered iiiopci'ative for the purpose of preventing its corresponding transfer arm and movable electrode 53 from functioning, as will now be described.

is best shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 8, a rod 83 extends across the front of the machine above the electrodes, and is provided at intervals thereon with pairs of xed collars 84, between each pair of which is confined a coiled spring 85. A latch arm 86, pivotally mounted on a stud 87, is disposed substantially mid-way between each pair of collars 84 and extends beneath the spring 85 in the direction of one of the push rods 44. Each arm 86 is provided with an upwardly extending fork portion 88 which is adapted to embrace the rod 83 with its arms 89 engaged with substantially the middle convolutioiis of the spring 85. y The end of each arm 86 is slabbed off, as indicated at 90, and the top portion of each push rod 44 is provided with a notch 91, best shown at C-C in Fig. l, of substantially the same form as the slabbed off portion 90 of the arm 86.

It is obvious from a consideration of the above described parts, that with the arms 86 extending substantially at right angles to the rod 83, equal portions of the spring 85 on opposite sides of each arm 86, are adapted to exert substantially equal pressures on the arms. Zhen however, the rod 83 is shifted to the right, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 7, all of the arms 86 will be held clear of the path of movement of the rods 44, owing to the fact that the left hand portions of the springs 85 will be somewhat more compressed than the right hand portions thereof. lf however, the rod 83 should be shifted to the left, all of the arms 86 will be forced in the direction of the rods 44, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, by the pressure which is then exllO after another.

' sume normal operation of the machine.

`86 into a locking position erted by the right hand portions of the iprings 85. With the several arms 86' held in their left hand position, it is obvious that when any one of the rods 44 is movediupwardly to operate the transfer mechanism and the electrodes, corresponding arm 86 will/be forced into the notch 91 on the rod by the pressure of the spring 85. Consequently, the rod 44 will be prevented from moving` downwardly to its normal position. As long as the rod 83 is maintained in its left hand position, the rods 44 will. be successively locked against downward movement as they are lifted, `one As long as any rod 44 is locked in its ripper position, the corresponding transfer arm 35 will remain in the position shown at D-D, Fig. l, and the movable electrode 53 will be held away from the stationary electrode 47. Consequently, it will be impossible for a piece of stock to-be heated by any pair of electrodes inwhich the operating rod 44 is locked in its upper po sition. Upon moving the rod 83 to the right, all of the rods 44 which may be locked in their upper position, will be released by the arms 86, andr will thereupon be moved downwardly to their lower position, and the corresponding transfer and electrode mechanisms will operate asbefore.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the heating of stock can be interrupted at any time and for any desired period' by merely moving the rod 83 to the left. If, for instance, it is desired to heat only a few pieces of stock for test purposes, it is possible for the operator to cause one or two heated pieces to be delivered to the conveyor 77, after which the operation of the machine can be temporarily interrupted by moving the rod 83 to the left, thereby causing one or more of the rods 44 to be locked against movement.l The rod '83 can be moved to the right when it is desired to restill further advantage lies in the fact that when it is desired to stopthe machine it is possible to discharge all of the heated pieces of stock therefrom, for it is obvious that when the rod S3 has been moved to the left, the machine will continue to operate until all of the rods 44 have been locked in their upper positions, in which case there are no more heated pieces left in the machine. In addition, any one or more of the rods 44 can be locked by moving the corresponding arms by hand, and iolding it there until the rod 44 is moved upwardly'. In this way the machine could be run with only a certain number of electrodes in operation, which of course, would decrease the rate at which heated pieces of stock are delivered to the conveyor chain.

As best shownV in Fig. 4, the means for adapting the .machine for handling pieces of the end portion .90 of the- A blocks' 97, and the'plate stock of different length, consists in providing each hopperl withan adjustable plate- 92. The plate 92 yin each hopper rests at its upper end oniapin 93, received in holes 94 provided inthe side walls of the hopper. Each hopper lis provided with a number of pairs' of'such holes 94, so that the upper end of the plates 92 can Vbe supported at different distances from the ends of the hoppers. Eachp'late 92 extends downwardly from the pin 93 at an angle, and terminates in a curved portion95 which projects into the magazine 4 between the plates 5 and 6. A second positioning plate 96 is attached to the front wall 8 of the hopper l and also extends downwardly vat an angle between the plates 5 and 6, the curved portion 95 and plate 96 converging and being spaced apart at their lower ends a. distance substantially equal to the length of the pieces of stock which are to be handledv in the hopper l. When anumber ofpieces 3l of stock are thrown into the hopper, certain of the pieces roll alongthe bottom plate 2 and are directed between the plates 5: and 6 by the agitato-r 7. As the pieces enter the maga` Zine 4 between the plates 5 and 6, they are gradually brought into alinement with each y other by the curved portion 95 and the plate 96, so that the lowermost piece is properly positioned between the fingers 32 and 33 for operation upon. byv the transferer 35. In thisV way, the hopper 1 is adapted to handle pieces of stock of" different lengths by merely shifting the plate 92, after moving the pin 93 into a differentk pair of holes 94, so that the distance between the lower edge ofthe curved portion 95 and the plate 96 will be substantially the same as the length of the stock to be handled'. l

In order to take care ofpieces of stock of different diameter, the plate 6 is made adjustable with respect to the plate 5. As best shown in Fig. 5, the plate6 is provided with 5 is provided with blocks 98 having a series of steps 99 thereon, the blocks bein-g located beyond'I thel ends of the hopper. The distance between the plates 5 and 6 can be adjusted by causing the blocks97 to be seated in different pairs of steps 99, and the plates 5 and 6 are secured together with any desired adjustment therebetween, by means of bolts 100.

The resilient fingers 33 which coact with the fingers 32 in the plate 5, to hold the lowermost piece of stoel?` in position, are provided with means for preventing the lin gers 33 from bending inwardly and permitting the entrance of a heated bar `which may have become stuck in the notches 36 of the transfer arm when a piece of stock is removed from between the electrodes. This device consists of a stiff1 finger lOl coacting with each of the resilient fingers 33, the lower end of each finger lOl being received the finger 33, and the other end I" the iinger 101 being loosely supported by means of a set screw 103 received in a slot 104e.

The action ot.' the linger 101 is such that when a piece ot stock 31 is being'removed from between the .tingers 32 and 33, its upper end shifts to the base of the set screw 103, thereby permitting the fingers to yield. It', however, a piece which has become stuck to the transfer arms 35, should try to force its way between the ingers 32 and 33 on the backward movement of the transfer arm, the lingers 101 will shii't so that their upper ends engage the heads ot the set screivs 103, and thereby prevent the iin.- gers 33 from yielding inwardly.

In order to keep the electrodes cool, the movable electrode 53 is provided With a pair ,of parallel ducts 105 and 100, as best shoivn in Fig. 2. The duct 105 is connected to a supply pipe 107 and the duct 10G is connected to a discharge pipe 108 in the form or' a coil Which leads to a duct 109 provided in the stationary electrode di'. The Water is ydischarged from the electrode 4.7 to a pipe 110, so that a continuous stream of Water is passing through the electrodes during the operation of the machine.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by my invention I have provided an improved machine for automatically heating pieces of stock by the passage of electric current therethrough, the machine being adapted to successively discharge separate pieces ot stock at. predetermined intervals. The machine is further adapted lo handle different lengths and diameters oit stoel vvithout requiring any material adjustments or l'earrangemeut ot' parts, thereby rendering .it substantially universal in its operation. The .machine is entirely automatic in its operation and once set in motion, all that is required of the operator is to keep the machine supplied. with pieces of stock.

I claim:

1. In ar machine oit the class descrilied, containing` means for pieces ot stock, a plurality of pairs o't electrical contacts, and means for automatically moving pieces of stock in succession from said containing means to positions between ditlerent pairs yof contacts.

2. In a machine or the class described, containing means ior pieces of stock, a plurality of sets ot electrodes, and means ttor automatically moving pieces of stock in succession i'rom said containing means to respective sets of electrodes.

3. In a machine of the class described, containing means for pieces of stock, a plurality of sets of electrodes, means for automatically moving pieces of stock from said containing means to respective sets of electrodes in .a predetermined. sequence..

4t. In a machine of the class described, containing means for pieces of stock, a plurality of pairs 01"' contacts, means tor automatically moving pieces of stock in succession from said containing means to different pairs of contacts, and further means for automatically releasing pieces oi' stock after they have been heated a predetermined amount.

5. In a machine ot the class described, containing means for pieces oi stool, a plurality of pairs of contacts, means 'for automatically moving pieces ot stock from said containing means to respective pairs of contacts, and further means for automatically .releasing said pieces of stock in succession from said contacts after each piece has heated a predetermined amount.

G. In a machine ot the class described, containing means for pieces of stock, a plurality oi sets of electrodes, and means for automatically moving pieces of stock from said containing' means to respective sets of electrodes in succession and for discharging said pieces of stock after each piece has been heated a predetermined amount.

7. In a machine of the class described, containing' means for pieces of stock, a plurality of sets of electrodes, means for automatically moving pieces ot stoel: in succession from said containing means to respective sets of electrodes, and further means ior automatically removing pieces oi' stock in succession from said electrodes atter each piece has been heated a predetermined amount.

3. In a machine o the class described, the combination with a magazine, a. pair ot electrmles and a. conveyor mechanism, ot means for moving pieces oi' stock trom said magazine to a heating position between said electrodere, and 'tor delivering a piece o l stoel; to said eonveytu alter it has been heated a predetermined amount.

0. In a machine ot the class described, theI combination with ay plurality7 ol magazines, each containing pieces of stock, a plurality of sets of electrodes and a coi'iveying mechanism, oit means ttor antomatically moving pieces ot stock from said magazines to respective sets ot electrodes, and for delivering them in succession in a heated condition to said conveying mechanism.

l0. In a machine of the class described, electrodes, means 'tor supporting a piece ot stock in a prcheating position above said electrodes, and a pivotally mounted arm adapted by movement in one direction to move a piece ot' stock from its preheating position into heating position in engagement With said electrodes, and by n'ioven'ient in the other direction to release the heated piece of stock.

11. In a machine of the class described, relatively movable electrodes, means for been ing means for pieces of l direction to move away isevis'zia snpportinga pie'c'efot steel; ina prelieating the combination with' a plurality ot conposit'ion above said' electrodes, means for moving the kpiece o'tstoclrtrom its preheating position and supportingfit in a' heating position in engagement with2 one ot' said electrodes, and further means tor moving the other ot said electrodesinto engagement with said piece of stocl following its arrival inthe heating position. i

l2. ln a machine ot the class described, the combination with a magazine containing pieces ot stock, relatively movableelectrodes and a trai'is'terer, ot an operating member adaptedby its movement to nrst cause said transferer to `move a piece` ot stock from said magazine to a position in engagement with one of saidV electrodesand then move the other ot said electrode's'into engagement with said pieceloi'lstocltl y i8. In a machine of the' class described, the combination with a magazine containing pieces'ot stock, relatively movable electrodes and' a transferer, of a`reciprocating operating'ineinber adapted by its movement in one direction to` cause said transferer to move a piece of stock from said mao'azine and supporty itin aposition in engagement with said electrodes, and adapted by its movement in the other direction to nieve from said electrodes `to saidmagazine and thereby release said piece of stock;

H. In a machine ot" the class described, the combination with a magazine containing pieces of stock, relatively movable electrodes and a transferer, of' arecipiocating operating member adapted its movement in one direction to move one otsaidt electrodes into engagement with a piece ot stoc'lcsupported in contact with the other ot said electrodes by said transferer.

l5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a magazine containing pieces of stock, relatively movable electrodes and a transferer, ot a' reciprocating operating member adapted by its'niovcment in` one direction to` cause onel of said electrodes to engage the end ot a piece ot stock supported between said electrodes by said transferer, andA adapted by its movement in they other trom said piece of stock.

le. ln a machine ot the class described, the combination with a plurality ot containstock, a plurality of sets ot` relatively movable electrodes, a plurality of transferers and a plurality of operating members each adapted by its movementv to first canse a transferer to move a piece ot' stock 'from said eontainingmeans to a position between said electrodes and thon move one ot said electrodes into engagement with said piece of stock, of means 'for automatically actuating said operating members in successione.

i7.. l1] ,f1 machine ot the class described,

tainingineans tor pieces ot stocln'a plurality of setso'v'relatively movable electrodes, ap'luralityot transferer-'s and a plurality ot opera-ting movement to firsteause a transferer to move a piece otstoclr from saidfeontaining means to a position between said electrodes and then moveone ot said electrodes into engagement .vithisaid piece of stock, ot' means for' automatically causing the movement ot said operating members in a predetermined sequence. Y

18.111 a machine ot the class described,

the combination with a plurality of containiirgmeans for pieces of stock,l a plurality ot sets `,of relatively movable electrodes, a plurality ot transterers and a plurality oit operatii'ig members each adapted by its movementto first cause atranslierer to move' agpieceot stock troinsaid containingv means to a" position between said electrodes and then move one ot saidfelectrodes into engagement with said piece ot stock, ot a timing niechanism tor automatically actuating said'operating members in a predetermined succession. y

19. lna machine of the class described, the combination with a plurality of containing means tor pieces ot stock, a plurality ot sets et relatively movableelectrodes, a plurality of transferers anda plurality of operating members each adaptedl by its movement to iii-'st canse a transferer to move apiece'otl stock Ytrom said'containing means to a position between said electrodes and then move one ot said electrodes into engagement with said piece of stock, of a timing mechanism adaptedto intermittently actnate each oi' said operating members, the time. interval between each actuation being determined upon the number of said operating members.

20. lira machine ot the class described, the combination with a plurality ot maga- Zineseach containing pieces ot stock, a plurality ot sets of relatively movable electrodes', a plurality of transl'erers and a plurality of operating members each adapted by its movement tov first cause a transferer to move a piece of stock from said maga- Zine to a'positio'n between said electrodes and then release said piece ot stock, of a timing mechanism for automatically actuating said ,operating members in a predetermined sequence.v

2l. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a plurality of magazines each containing pieces ot stock, a plurality of sets of relatively movable eleotrodes, a plurality ot transferers and a plurality of operating members each adapted by its movement to nrst cause a transferer to move a piece ot stock from said magazine to a position between said electrodes and then release said piece ot stock after it has members each adapted by its iis been heated, of a timing mechanism for Vautomatically actuating said operating members at predetermined intervals.

22. In amachine ot the class described, the combination with a plurality of magazines each containing pieces of stock, aplurality of sets of relatively movable electrodes, a plurality Qi: transferers and a plurality of operating members each adapted by its movement to first cause a transferer to move a piece of stock trom said magazine to a position between said electrodes and then release said piece of stock after it has been heated, of a timing mechanism for rautomatically actuating said operating members, at intervals, whereby each piece of stoel; is heated a predetermined amount.

23. In a machine ot the. class described, the combination with aplurality of magazines each containing pieces of stoclr, a plurality of sets of relatively movable electrodes, a plurality oi transterers and a plurality of operating members each adapted by its movement to first cause a transferer to move a piece of stock from said magazine to a position between said electrodes and then release said piece ot stock, of a timing mechanism for actuating said operating members in succession, and means for arresting the movement of each of said 0peratingmembers following the release ot a piece of stock by said transferer.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aI plurality of magazines each containing pieces of stock, a plurality of sets of relatively movable electrodes, a plurality of transiterers and a plurality of operating members each adapted by its movement to lirst cause a transferer to move a piece ot stock from said magazine to a position between said electrodes and then release said piece of stock, of means 'for automatically actuating said operating members in succession, and further means for successively locking each of said operating members against movement.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a magazine containing pieces ot stock, relatively 1novable electrodes, a transferer and a reciprocatory op-A erating member adapted by its complete movement to cause Said transferer to move a piece ot stock from said magazine and support it in a position between said electrodes and then release said piece ot stock, of means for arresting the movement ot said operating member following its release of a piece ott stock. d

26. In a machine of the class describedJ the combination with a magazine. containing pieces of stock, relatively movable electrodes, a transferer and a reciprocatory operating member adapted by its complete movement to cause said transferer to move a piece `of stock from said magazine and support it in a position between said electrodes and then release said piece of stock, of means for arresting the movement of said operating member to prevent it moving a cold piece into position between said elec'- trodes.

27. In a machine of the class described, means for supporting pieces of stock one above the other, a plurality of pairs of electricall contacts, a rotating` element, and means automatically controlled by the rotation ot' said element for moving the lowermost pieces ot stock in succession from said stock supporting means to positions in engagement with diiierent pairs ot contacts and tor releasing the pieces oi" stoel; in succession atter they have been heated a predetermined amountl 28. In a machine of the class described, means for supporting pieces of stock one abovel the other, a plurality ofpairs of electrical contacts, a rotating element, and means governed by a predetermined degree ot angular movement ot said element for automatically moving, in regular succession, the lowermost pieces of stock from said supporting means to positions in engagement with dilierent pairs of contacts and for automatically releasing, in the same succession, the pieces ot stock after heating.

29. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting pieces ot stock, one above the other, a pair of spaced electrical contactsk and automatically controlled means for moving the lowermost piece of stock broadside away from said magazine into a position in engagement with said contacts, tor preventing the escape from the magazine ot' the piece ot' stock next above the piece removed and :for releasing the said piece ot stock from said contacts after it has been heated a predetermined amount.

30. In a machine of the class described, means tor supporting pieces of stock one above the other, a transformer havingan open secondary circuit constituted, in part, by a plurality of pairs ot' spaced contacts, and means for automatically causing the successive engagen'ient ot the lowermost pieces of stock with different pairs of contacts to cause the passage ot an electric current through the stock by the completion of succession after each piece has been heated a predetermined amount.

32. :in a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting pieces of stock, one above the other, a transformer having au open secondary circuit including a pair of spaced contacts, means 'or automatically causing the broadside removal or' the lowermost piece of stock from said magazine and its engagement with said pair of contacts 10 to cause the passage oi' an electric current therethrough by the completion of said Secondary circuit, and means for releasing the piece of stock from said contacts after it has been heated a predetermined amount.

ERNEST S. JEFFERIES.

Certiicate of Correction.

It is hereby Certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,567,373, granted Dece'l'nber 29, 1925, upon the application of Ernest S. Jefferies, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, for un improvement in Machines for Heating Metal Stock, errors appear in theprinted speeication requiring correction as follows: Page 7, lines 53, 66, 80, and 94, claims 16, 17, 18, and 19, respectively, strike out the Words a plurality of 7; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these Corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent OfHee.

Signed and sealed this 2d day of March, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Uommz'sszfoner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certied that in Letters Patent No. 1,567,873, granted Dece'l'nber 29. 1925, upon the application of Ernest S. Jefferies, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, for :in improvement in Machines for Heating Metal Stock, errors appear in the printed specifica-tion requiring correction as follows: Page 7, lines 53, 66, SO, and 94, claims 16, 17, 18, and 19, respectively, strike out the Words a. plurality of 7; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2d day of March, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

